Actor and intern Nina Cullum, center, readies her bow and arrow as fellow actor Laura Christensen assists her onto the stage during a dress rehearsal for “The Hobbit” at the Circle Theatre. Cullum, who plays an elf, said her participation in the play — her first role ever — shows that people with disabilities can make their dreams come true.

Actor David Sindelar, left, and actor and intern Nidal Sharif practice stage fighting during a rehearsal for “The Hobbit” at the Circle Theatre. Sindelar plays the dwarf Balin and Sharif plays a goblin.

Stage manager Amy Thomas, left, and intern Daniel Holm work on a scene change during rehearsal for “The Hobbit” at the Circle Theatre. Interns are part of a program facilitated by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Actor and intern Nina Cullum, center, readies her bow and arrow as fellow actor Laura Christensen assists her onto the stage during a dress rehearsal for “The Hobbit” at the Circle Theatre. Cullum, who plays an elf, said her participation in the play — her first role ever — shows that people with disabilities can make their dreams come true.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Actor Patrick Brusnahan does his makeup before the start of a rehearsal for "The Hobbit" at the Circle Theatre. Brusnahan plays a dwarf, Bombur.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Actor Demetrius Hearte closes his eyes for makeup artist Nicole Rapier before rehearsal for “The Hobbit” at the Circle Theatre. Hearte is playing the dwarf Gloin.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Intern Daniel Holm, left, and stage manager Amy Thomas monitor a dress rehearsal for “The Hobbit” so they would know when to change the scenery. The play opened Friday night at the Circle Theatre.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Actor and intern Maddie Carlin waits off stage to make her entrance as a troll during a dress rehearsal for "The Hobbit," which premiered Friday night at the Circle Theatre.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Intern Daniel Holm moves a fake stone, practicing a scene change during a dress rehearsal for "The Hobbit" at the Circle Theatre. The show opened Friday night.

In “The Hobbit” at the Circle Theatre, some of the goblins are in wheelchairs and some of the elves have Down syndrome.

It’s all about focusing on the abilities of the actors, not the disabilities, said Fran Sillau, the theater’s executive artistic director.

It’s also about an updated vision for the Circle, as expressed in a mission statement adopted in January 2018: “Circle Theatre creates productions for differently abled individuals to view and participate in quality theater within a barrier-free environment.”

“The Hobbit,” which opened this past Friday in the theater’s regular space at Hanscom Park United Methodist Church, is the Circle’s first show in which many differently abled actors are performing alongside acting veterans without disabilities. The theater has been leading up to this moment.

“It was always in the back of my mind since I joined the theater in 2016,” Sillau said.

Actor and intern Nina Cullum, right, listens as director Jarrett Thomas gives notes to the actors following a rehearsal for “The Hobbit” at the Circle Theatre.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Last year, the Circle staged a production of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” that was entirely interpreted for the hearing-impaired. Before that, the theater did a version of “The Nutcracker” with sign language in some scenes.

There’s no other theater exactly like the Circle in the metropolitan area.

“We realized in the last few years that this is a niche that needed to be filled in this community,” Sillau said.

When theater leaders talked about what plays they would select, “The Hobbit” kept coming up. Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel that sets up the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the story is widely known and beloved. And because it’s about an alternate world, there are no preconceived notions that characters must look a certain way.

“I like fantasy because we’re not so tied to ‘I don’t look like that,’ ” Sillau said. “You don’t need to be tied in to one look. That’s what made it a natural fit.”

The Circle isn’t changing the text of Patricia Gray’s script but will adapt staging to fit the actors.

At 35 actors, the play has a fairly large cast for a small community theater. Actors range in age from 8 to 70-plus, with a little more than half the cast having some sort of disability, either visible or invisible. People aren’t asked to disclose their disabilities at auditions.

“If they’re visible, we ask if there’s anything we can do, anything they need to have a good experience,” Sillau said.

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The theater sends audition notices to area nonprofits such as Gotta Be Me and Girls Inc. and school programs that help students make the transition from special education to adult living, but other than that, there’s no special effort to find differently abled actors.

The goal is that inclusivity just gets folded into the fabric of the theater, Sillau said.

Part of his motivation comes from his own experience.

“I have a visible disability and grew up with a learning disability, though no one could tell that from the outside,” he said. “I didn’t want to do plays just with other people with disabilities.”

He had the opportunity to participate in theater with all sorts of people, and he wanted to create that for others, he said.

In addition to cast members, differently abled people will be behind the scenes for “The Hobbit” as interns in a program that’s facilitated by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. They are learning such things as stage-managing and running the light board.

Actor David Sindelar, left, and actor and intern Nidal Sharif practice stage fighting during a rehearsal for “The Hobbit” at the Circle Theatre. Sindelar plays the dwarf Balin and Sharif plays a goblin.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Nidal Sharif, 20, who has Down syndrome, is one of the goblins. His mother, Graciela, said it has been an extremely positive experience. She likes it because he has the same responsibilities as everyone else in the diverse cast.

“They set high expectations for him — you need to be here at this time, you need to be doing this,” she said. But at the same time, she said, “they really put forth the effort to make sure he has support, not just left to fail.”

Longtime Omaha actor Sue Mouttet, who plays Gandalf the wizard, said that support happens when cast members bond, often becoming like family and looking out for one another. “Hobbit” actors have gone out for coffee together and shared meals at the theater. They’ve also discussed their parts: “What’s the elf experience? What’s the dwarf experience?” she said.

“One of the good things about theater is teamwork,” she said. “You’re not just there to be a star but to help the story get across. Whether it’s differently abled people or younger (kids), if they need a little support or direction, you give it to them kindly.”

The Circle’s approach to “The Hobbit” is inclusive and innovative in more ways than just breaking physical barriers. Gandalf is an iconic character who is usually played by a tall, lanky man, she said. Because directors at the Circle focus on an actor’s abilities rather than appearance or tradition, they offered that part to Mouttet, a smaller, 76-year-old woman.

The role, she said, “has been very positive for me.”

“I went into it with some trepidation. It took me a couple of days to think about if I could really bring anything to the part. I decided it’s not about your size, it’s about your wisdom and your ability to influence people. If you look around at your life, people of all ages, colors, et cetera, influence you.”

Stage manager Amy Thomas, left, and intern Daniel Holm work on a scene change during rehearsal for “The Hobbit” at the Circle Theatre. Interns are part of a program facilitated by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Nidal, for one, has been influenced by his colleagues in “The Hobbit” and those he met in previous plays. When he’s done with the Millard Public Schools’ young adult special education program, he wants a career in theater.

“He always says he wants to work on Broadway. We don’t know if he’ll make it to Broadway, but at least we are not giving up,” Gabriela Sharif said. “We are starting at the Circle Theatre.”

Nidal’s participation in “The Hobbit” should help.

Sillau praised director Jarrett Thomas, a newcomer to the Circle, and associate artistic director Angela Dashner for their work on the show, which will be performed with the audience on different sides instead of traditional seating.

Sillau expects a variety of theater fans to buy tickets, not just because they want to see the diverse cast but also to see a favorite story.

“We do the highest-quality production that we can, what our space and resources allow,” he said. “Those who know ‘The Hobbit’ will be pleased, and others will come away with a new appreciation.”

Nebraska assistant coach Jim Molinari, left, watches the play on the court. In the background is Nebraska head coach Tim Miles. Nebraska played Penn State in a men's basketball game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Tad Badje, 49, right, and wife Shelly Badje, 48, pepper Title Boxing Club's general manager, Chris Gerhardt's mid-section during a two-on-one body shot race as part of their work out at Title Boxing Club in Omaha, Nebraska.

Two-year-old Hannah Bonnot of Denver, Colorado, stands in awe before "Mountain Outlaw" taken at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, on display at Tom Mangelsen's "Life in the Wild" exhibition at the Durham Museum in Omaha, Nebraska.

Xiang Fang, right, and his son Ethan, 10, walk along the shoreline at Chalco Hills Recreation Area in Omaha, Nebraska. Fang said he and his son come to the lake often to watch the Canada geese and to see where the birds find open water.

T. Scott Marr and his daughter, Preston Marr, left, break down as Preston describes visiting her father before he'd made a miraculous recovery. T. Scott Marr and family attended a press conference held in Methodist Hospital's physical therapy space in Omaha, Nebraska. Thought to be brain dead, doctors took former Creighton Bluejays play-by-play announcer T. Scott Marr off life support. Before his family settled on a funeral home, they decided to see their dad one more time. When they got there, he was awake and speaking.

Steve "Stever" Hansen takes a photograph as crews from the Omaha Neon Sign Co, Inc. install the Charlie Graham Auto sign at its new location called Great Plains Auto Body near the intersection of S. 43rd Street and Leavenworth Street in Omaha, Nebraska. Hansen is a friend of Charlie Graham who now lives in California.

Omaha Creighton Prep student Mark Mausbach leads the schools student section in cheer. Omaha Creighton Prep played Bellevue West at the Ralston Arena in Omaha, Nebraska, in the boys championship game of the Metro Holiday tournament.

Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of District 28 kisses her husband Loel Brooks as family members depart form the floor during the first day of the 2019 Legislative Session at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Sitting on the lap of her mother, Melissa Murante, Natalia Murante, soon be two-years old, applauds for her father, John Murante after he was sworn in as state treasurer in a ceremony held in the Norris Legislative Chamber of the State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Nate Miller, CEO of Proving Ground, works at his company's office in Omaha, Nebraska. Miller said the company has been affected by the government shutdown and that waiting to be paid for work has been difficult.

Ian Murphy, canvases the nearly 90 snow people which are on display at the Leavenworth Park in Omaha, Nebraska. Neighbors such as Murphy say the snow people didn't exist yesterday and claim it happened over night or possibly early this morning.

Kenze Messman, 17, spends time with her service dog Makki at their home in Lincoln, Nebraska. At the age of 14, Messman, was diagnosed with a handful of syndromes that combined can leave her with an elevated heart rate, seizures and twitches. She is also allergic to an abundance of things. Makki helps Kenze avoid or combat incidences.

Kenze Messman, 17, trains her service dog Makki at their home in Lincoln, Nebraska. At the age of 14, Messman, was diagnosed with a handful of syndromes that combined can leave her with an elevated heart rate, seizures and twitches. She is also allergic to an abundance of things. Makki helps Kenze avoid or combat incidences.

Kenze Messman, 17, spends time with her service dog Makki at their home in Lincoln, Nebraska. At the age of 14, Messman, was diagnosed with a handful of syndromes that combined can leave her with an elevated heart rate, seizures and twitches. She is also allergic to an abundance of things. Makki helps Kenze avoid or combat incidences.

Nebraska's Tanner Borchardt (20) tangles with Michigan's Kenny Goins (25) as Nebraska's Isaiah Roby (15) looks on in the first half as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln men's basketball team hosts Michigan State at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Passengers are loaded off a Southwest airplane a few at a time as firefighters help them down the portable stairs in Omaha, Nebraska, at Eppley Airfield. The airplane had slid off the runway as freezing drizzle hit the Omaha area.

North Dakota's Cole Smith (26) is upended in a collision with UNO's John Schuldt (5) in the third period as the University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks Hockey team loses to North Dakota 3-4 at Baxter Arena in Omaha, Nebraska.

An allosaurus appears to be eyeing a tasty, 19-month-old morsel named Austin Haseltine as he is lifted from the shoulders of his grandpa, Greg Fasano, by his mother, Amy Haseltine, with his father, Jim Haseltine looking on. The Dinosaur UpROAR exhibit at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft Street in Omaha, Nebraska, features 20 life-sized installations as well as discovery stations and educational activities set throughout the gardens.

Diane Nash speaks at the luncheon about her participation in the nonviolent movement that began in 1959 while she was a student at Fisk University. African-American civil rights leader Diane Nash was the keynote speaker during a Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon hosted by the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance at the Hilton Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska.

From left: Jan Cochran, Mary Clemens and Kate Bradley decorate St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska. This weekend, the Cathedral Arts Project will host the 34th annual Cathedral Flower Festival, which will feature floral displays from more than 30 area florists.

Michele Kiefer decorates behind the alter at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska. This weekend, the Cathedral Arts Project will host the 34th annual Cathedral Flower Festival, which will feature floral displays from more than 30 area florists. Kiefer said this was her third year volunteering with the decorating. She said she loves learning from the other florists.

From left: Maureen Baines, Marilyn Havel, Liz Beckman and Carolyn Arkfeld decorate an arbor in the center of the nave at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska. This weekend, the Cathedral Arts Project will host the 34th annual Cathedral Flower Festival, which will feature floral displays from more than 30 area florists.

Butler's Jordan Tucker (1) scrambles for the ball against Creighton's Martin Krampelj (15) in the second half as the Creighton University men's basketball team defeats Butler University 75-61 at CHI Health Center Arena in Omaha, Nebraska.

Creighton's Ty-Shon Alexander (5) steals the ball from Butler's Jordan Tucker (1) in the second half as the Creighton University men's basketball team defeats Butler University 75-61 at CHI Health Center Arena in Omaha, Nebraska.

Our best photos from January 2019

Nebraska assistant coach Jim Molinari, left, watches the play on the court. In the background is Nebraska head coach Tim Miles. Nebraska played Penn State in a men's basketball game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Tad Badje, 49, right, and wife Shelly Badje, 48, pepper Title Boxing Club's general manager, Chris Gerhardt's mid-section during a two-on-one body shot race as part of their work out at Title Boxing Club in Omaha, Nebraska.

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

Two-year-old Hannah Bonnot of Denver, Colorado, stands in awe before "Mountain Outlaw" taken at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, on display at Tom Mangelsen's "Life in the Wild" exhibition at the Durham Museum in Omaha, Nebraska.

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

Pedestrians stroll down the 10th Street bridge toward Jackson Street as snow blankets the downtown area of Omaha, Nebraska.

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

A deer walks through the tall grass at Chalco Hills Recreation Area in Omaha, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Xiang Fang, right, and his son Ethan, 10, walk along the shoreline at Chalco Hills Recreation Area in Omaha, Nebraska. Fang said he and his son come to the lake often to watch the Canada geese and to see where the birds find open water.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

T. Scott Marr and his daughter, Preston Marr, left, break down as Preston describes visiting her father before he'd made a miraculous recovery. T. Scott Marr and family attended a press conference held in Methodist Hospital's physical therapy space in Omaha, Nebraska. Thought to be brain dead, doctors took former Creighton Bluejays play-by-play announcer T. Scott Marr off life support. Before his family settled on a funeral home, they decided to see their dad one more time. When they got there, he was awake and speaking.

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

The evening light gets low on Nebraska's State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Steve "Stever" Hansen takes a photograph as crews from the Omaha Neon Sign Co, Inc. install the Charlie Graham Auto sign at its new location called Great Plains Auto Body near the intersection of S. 43rd Street and Leavenworth Street in Omaha, Nebraska. Hansen is a friend of Charlie Graham who now lives in California.

BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERAL

Omaha Creighton Prep student Mark Mausbach leads the schools student section in cheer. Omaha Creighton Prep played Bellevue West at the Ralston Arena in Omaha, Nebraska, in the boys championship game of the Metro Holiday tournament.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Omaha Creighton Prep' coach Josh Luedtke, left, gives direction to player Spencer Schomers, right, as he defends Bellevue West's Louis Fidler. Omaha Creighton Prep played Bellevue West at the Ralston Arena in Omaha, Nebraska, in the boys championship game of the Metro Holiday tournament.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Canada geese fly over Flanagan Lake at sunset in Omaha, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

The sunset is reflected in some open water at Flanagan Lake in Omaha, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Richard "Vince" Vincent of Omaha works out at West O Fitness, 18132 Emiline Street in Omaha, Nebraska.

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska's Nicea Eliely gets pumped up for the game. Nebraska played Maryland in a basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska's Ashtyn Veerbeek was electric during halftime warmups. Nebraska played Maryland in a basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Sen. Lynne Walz of District 15 embraces Graham Pansing Brooks of Lincoln prior to the start of the first day of the 2019 Legislative Session at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska.

BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERAL

Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of District 28 kisses her husband Loel Brooks as family members depart form the floor during the first day of the 2019 Legislative Session at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska.

BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERAL

Nebraska's Stanley Morgan Jr., left, poses for a picture with former Husker running back Johny Rodgers during the Outland Trophy Banquet at the Double Tree Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Former Nebraska coaches Frank Solich, left, and Tom Osborne pose for a photograph during the Outland Trophy Banquet at the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in Omaha, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Sitting on the lap of her mother, Melissa Murante, Natalia Murante, soon be two-years old, applauds for her father, John Murante after he was sworn in as state treasurer in a ceremony held in the Norris Legislative Chamber of the State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska.

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska's Thomas Allen (12) scores a three-point basket. Nebraska played Penn State in a men's basketball game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Penn State head coach Patrick Chambers gestures to his players on the court. Nebraska played Penn State in a men's basketball game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska's Isaac Copeland Jr. (14) takes on Penn State. Nebraska played Penn State in a men's basketball game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska's Glynn Watson Jr. (5), right, fights for a rebound with Penn State's John Harrar (21). Nebraska played Penn State in a men's basketball game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

A passenger in a car waits for help after sliding into the ditch near 204th Street and Blue Sage Parkway in Omaha, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Isabella Orsini, 10, right, gives her brother, Jacob, 6, a push as they ride sleds in their yard in Omaha, Nebraska.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Sam Person of Papillion clears snow in the Eagle Hills neighborhood near Castle Pine and Franklin Drives in Papillion, Nebraska.

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

Nate Miller, CEO of Proving Ground, works at his company's office in Omaha, Nebraska. Miller said the company has been affected by the government shutdown and that waiting to be paid for work has been difficult.

Joel Green leads a tour of Robber's Cave underneath Blue Blood Brewery in Lincoln, Nebraska. A new book looks into the truths and legends of Nebraska's man-made cave.

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

Elephant Keeper Abbe Dickson takes a breather while cleaning up poop and hay at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium's elephant herd room in Omaha, Nebraska. Cleaning up after elephants can be a big job.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Ian Murphy, canvases the nearly 90 snow people which are on display at the Leavenworth Park in Omaha, Nebraska. Neighbors such as Murphy say the snow people didn't exist yesterday and claim it happened over night or possibly early this morning.

BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERAL

Kenze Messman, 17, spends time with her service dog Makki at their home in Lincoln, Nebraska. At the age of 14, Messman, was diagnosed with a handful of syndromes that combined can leave her with an elevated heart rate, seizures and twitches. She is also allergic to an abundance of things. Makki helps Kenze avoid or combat incidences.

BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERAL

Kenze Messman, 17, trains her service dog Makki at their home in Lincoln, Nebraska. At the age of 14, Messman, was diagnosed with a handful of syndromes that combined can leave her with an elevated heart rate, seizures and twitches. She is also allergic to an abundance of things. Makki helps Kenze avoid or combat incidences.

BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERAL

Kenze Messman, 17, spends time with her service dog Makki at their home in Lincoln, Nebraska. At the age of 14, Messman, was diagnosed with a handful of syndromes that combined can leave her with an elevated heart rate, seizures and twitches. She is also allergic to an abundance of things. Makki helps Kenze avoid or combat incidences.